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The Trump Effect — Is this administration a present danger to the Black psyche?

NNPA NEWSWIRE — “Vast segments of the psychiatric community, including the editorial staff of Psychology Today, and the eminent Yale psychiatrist Bandy Lee, have expounded on the potential harm of the Chief Executive’s mental fitness, on our collective psyche. That said, we have reached out to a cross section of (non-White) mental health clinicians to get their take on the man in the Oval Office and his impact on people of color in these United States.”

Published

7 years ago

September 28, 2019

Oakland Post

“We can’t let Los Angeles, San Francisco and numerous other cities destroy themselves by allowing what’s happening.” —President Donald J. Trump interviewed by USA Today aboard Air Force One, en route to California. (PHOTO: Donald Trump speaking at a rally in Fountain Hills, Arizona. / Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons)

Chief Executive visits the Southland, discusses Skid Row

By Gregg Reese, Our Weekly News Contributor

“Today, more than 150 years after the end of the Civil War, America is again divided, by geography, party, ideology, economics and race.”
—From “Is America Heading For Another Civil War?” By Austin Sarat on July 30, 2019.

The debate over the merits of Donald John Trump’s presidency continue with no sign of closure in sight. The constituency that elected him has remained steadfast in its support, as the marginalized and ethnically diverse who oppose him, stay at odds with his policies and (in their view) offensive rhetoric.

Vast segments of the psychiatric community, including the editorial staff of Psychology Today, and the eminent Yale psychiatrist Bandy Lee, have expounded on the potential harm of the Chief Executive’s mental fitness, on our collective psyche. That said, we have reached out to a cross section of (non-White) mental health clinicians to get their take on the man in the Oval Office and his impact on people of color in these United States.

A rudderless community in the wake of a storm

“Radical” is the word conjured up by Dr. Sandra Cox, the head of Los Angeles’ Coalition of Mental Health Professionals, when confronted with the name Donald Trump. For decades a custodian and shepherd to the needs of the South L.A. community, Cox now serves a largely Black and Hispanic clientele. The specter of fear cast by the man in charge is apparent to both demographics.

Immigrants with little or no command of the English language (who, in turn, are likely to have questionable legal status regarding their residency in this country), are reluctant to openly express an opinion about the man or his policies. Those with more legitimate, stable footing, feel slightly freer to talk about the relative merits of the current administration. Native-born Blacks demonstrate an erosion in self-esteem as well.

“In my opinion, the state of the African American consciousness is lower now than it has been in the last fifty years,” she said. “My greatest fear is the impact of racism has increased exponentially. That has led to self-hatred and denial of one’s African roots.”

As a seasoned activist who was nurtured in the progressive advocacy of the mid-20th century, Cox regrets the loss of commitment and idealism of subsequent generations.

“Some of these brothers have got their heads in the sand, and they have no idea on the impact this is having on their lives and their children…” she declared.

Being forced to ‘man up’

Stoicism is defined as the endurance of pain or hardship without the display of feelings and without complaint.

“The stigma of ‘looking crazy’ and ‘acting dramatic’ is a profound one. In many ways, the Black population is told that this is not something that ‘we’ do. We don’t have the luxury to ‘revel’ in our emotions.”
—By Britt Julious from “I am not OK: Stoicism, mental health, and the Black community,” from WBEZ Blogs, Chicago Public Media, Inc., March 15, 2013.

“Simple” is the word conjured up in Alisha Woodall’s mind when the name Donald Trump comes up. By this she means the comparative lack of “polish” Trump has compared to others in the political arena.

Within six months of the Trump election, therapist Woodall, who maintains a private practice in a suburb of Houston, Texas, noticed a new, previously underrepresented demographic seeking her services: Black men. What makes this unique is the fact that this group generally refrains from utilizing psychiatric treatment because of cultural stigma within the Black community, and the masculine resistance (found in all ethnicities) to open up about emotional issues.

Trump’s abrasive manner may be an impetus in bringing these issues to the surface. His lack of refinement brings to the surface all the anxieties, fears, and trepidations Black people have cultivated over the past four centuries of their residency in the Americas. In other words, the stress of the new administration has forced these people to
sidestep their trepidation of psychiatric treatment. Political observers of the past 30 years might advance that more skillful politicians with subtle charm, such as a Ronald Reagan, might pass questionable legislation that could be over-looked by all but the most “woke” constituents).

(Not) just us

“I believe Mr. Trump has hurt all Americans.”
—Joshua Cenido, who is completing his medical residency at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science.

“Fearful” is the word uttered by Dr. Joshua Cenido, a native of Cerritos. As a Filipino-American, he points to the duality of his culture, meaning that his community is by turns conservative economically and financially, but progressive when it comes to social issues, including tolerance of the LGBTQ lifestyle. Like Woodall, Cenido believes Trump’s crudeness can bring up buried emotions to those with a history of persecution (common enough in immigrant populations).

“Mr. Trump’s actions and language have justified many of the fears and concerns people of color face with regards to persecution, whether it is systemic or interpersonal. It also doesn’t help that he’s emboldened those who’re already inclined to mistreat and persecute people of color to exercise their prejudice,” he notes.

Cenido offered an opinion that might go a long way in explaining why the current office holder, a man who [“…consistently disregard(s) the expectations of integrity, dignity, and respect that many might expect…”] managed to secure the Presidency.

“I believe Mr. Trump has worked to align himself with individuals who are willing to confer power on him. Right or wrong, he has become a representative voice for certain marginalized groups who craved a voice.”

“As unpopular as he may be, he is popular enough to maintain the supports that continue to secure his particular position of leadership,” Cenido said in closing.

A word from our Commander-in-Chief

This week, of course, the president graced Southern California for a fundraising tour, with side trips to the Mexican border, along with a proclamation on how to end homelessness for once and for all. Just prior to this westward sojourn, his administration issued its “State of Homelessness in America” annual report, through The Alliance to End Homelessness. It advocates easing restrictions on construction of new housing for the poor and cracking down on derelicts sleeping on the streets.

Trump found fault with the manner in which local governments addressed the problem, suggesting the unfortunates within afflicted cities be turned away from existing shelters to encourage them to find housing on their own.

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2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring Review — Is This $136K EV Sedan Worth It?

AUTONETWORK ON BLACKPRESSUSA — Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, but it still feels elegant instead of trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 3, 2026

Oakland Post

The 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring is the kind of luxury EV that makes people stop and ask a simple question: Is this really better than a Tesla Model S, Mercedes EQS, or BMW i7? At $136,150, it has to do more than look futuristic. It has to feel special every time you get in it.

Finished in Stellar White Metallic with the Tahoe Grand Touring interior, this Lucid makes a strong first impression. The shape is sleek and low, yet it still feels elegant rather than trying too hard. Features like soft-close doors, powered illuminated door handles, 20-inch Aero Lite wheels, and the Glass Canopy Roof help the car feel expensive before you even start it.

Inside is where the Air Grand Touring really makes its case. The 34-inch Glass Cockpit Display and retractable Pilot Panel screen give the cabin a clean, modern look that still feels different from other EVs. The Tahoe Extended Leather and Lucid Black Alcantara headliner lifts the sense of occasion, and the front seats are a highlight. They are 20-way power-adjustable, heated, ventilated, and include massage. That matters because luxury buyers at this price expect comfort first.

Rear passengers are not ignored either. You get 5-zone heated rear seating, a rear center console display, and power rear and rear side window sunshades. Add in the Surreal Sound Pro system with 21 speakers, and the Air feels like a true long-distance luxury sedan.

Lucid also gives this car serious EV hardware. The dual-motor all-wheel-drive system, 900V+ charging architecture, and Wunderbox onboard charger are big talking points. Buyers in this segment care about range, charging speed, and everyday ease, not just raw performance. That is where the Lucid continues to stand out.

On the technology side, the Air Grand Touring includes DreamDrive Premium, with 3D Surround View Monitoring, Blind Spot Warning, Automatic Park In and Out, Automatic Emergency Braking, and a Driver Monitoring System with distracted and drowsy driver alerts. This one also has DreamDrive Pro, which adds future-capable ADAS hardware.

There are still some real-world annoyances. Based on your notes, the windshield wiper control is hard to find and use, and that matters more than people think in a high-tech car. When controls become less intuitive, even a beautiful interior can feel frustrating.

Still, the 2026 Lucid Air Grand Touring succeeds where it matters most. It feels luxurious, advanced, comfortable, and thoughtfully engineered. For buyers who want an EV sedan that feels truly premium and less common than the usual choices, this Lucid makes a very strong case.

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Snoop Dogg Celebrates 10 Til’ Midnight at the Compound

LOS ANGELES SENTINEL — The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 3, 2026

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Snoop Dogg celebrated the premiere of 10 Til’ Midnight at his Inglewood recording studio & multipurpose facility, The Compound, but the night felt like much more than an album release. It felt like Los Angeles. It felt like legacy. And it felt like another major move from one of the city’s greatest cultural architects as he continues to prove that he is not just dropping music — he is building moments, shaping narratives, and pushing the culture forward in real time.

What made the event so powerful was the clarity behind the vision. During a panel conversation with DJ Hed, Snoop opened up about the heart behind 10 Til’ Midnight, explaining that the project was created to help bridge older and younger generations while also speaking to the long-standing divisions between Bloods and Crips in a unique way through film. That alone gave the project a different kind of weight. This was not just about songs. This was about using creativity as a tool for connection. This was about taking a story rooted in Los Angeles and telling it in a way that could bring people together.

Snoop Congratulated By Rapper & Fellow 10 Til Midnight Cast Member G Perico (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

The album is paired with a film that stars Snoop Dogg, Hitta J3, G Perico, and Ray Vaughn, and one of the strongest elements of the whole project is that the production stayed rooted right here in Los Angeles. The film was shot in the city, including at WePlay Studios in Inglewood, which gave the entire project an even deeper hometown feel. It was not just a West Coast story in content — it was a Los Angeles-made production from the ground up.

That matters because, in a city like this, authenticity still carries weight. Snoop understands how to make sure that what he creates does not just represent Los Angeles on the surface, but actually comes from it.

What also makes 10 Til’ Midnight significant is that it represents another major step in Snoop’s evolution as both an artist and executive. Public reporting around the project identifies it as his 22nd studio album, but the bigger story is what it represents in this season of his life. This is one of several consecutive moves he has made in his 50s that show he is still building, still expanding, and still finding new ways to reinvent what the next chapter looks like.

Snoop Dogg at the Premiere of 10 Til Midnight (CreativeLB/KreativeKapturez)

Now, as the head of Death Row Records and the newly aligned leader of Death Row Pictures, he is taking the brand into a new dimension. That is what made this moment feel bigger than music. Snoop is not just protecting the legacy of Death Row — he is stretching it. He is expanding it beyond records and into film, visual storytelling, and larger creative worlds that can continue carrying the label’s impact forward. Public reporting has noted that this project arrives as part of that broader cinematic push.

That is a major Los Angeles move because the city has always been built on the intersection of music, film, neighborhood identity, and cultural storytelling. With 10 Til’ Midnight, Snoop is leaning all the way into that intersection.

The room at The Compound reflected that. It felt like a private premiere, but it also felt like a statement — a reminder that Snoop Dogg’s staying power has never been based only on nostalgia. It comes from his ability to remain connected, remain visionary, and remain in tune with how to move the culture without losing the essence of who he is.

That is why this premiere mattered. It was not just about celebrating another album. It was about witnessing a Los Angeles legend continue to evolve, continue to unify, and continue to use art to tell stories that hit deeper than entertainment alone.

In that sense, 10 Til’ Midnight became more than a project launch. It became another example of how Snoop Dogg is still taking Los Angeles to the next level — using music, film, and legacy together to build something bigger than a moment.

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OP-ED: Small Businesses Need Minnesota to Act on Pass-Through Tax Policy

MINNESOTA SPOKESMAN RECORDER — A Twin Cities immigrant entrepreneur who built several businesses including grocery stores in underserved neighborhoods is calling on Minnesota lawmakers to extend the Pass-Through Entity tax option before it expires, warning that its loss would hit small businesses already recovering from Operation Metro Surge with higher federal tax bills.

Published

2 weeks ago

May 3, 2026

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A Twin Cities Small Business Owner Is Urging Minnesota to Extend a Tax Policy That Could Save Thousands of Businesses

By Daniel Hernandez | Minnesota Spokesman Recorder

I came to the United States as a teenager with a clear goal: to build something meaningful through hard work. I put in long days in construction, restaurants, and landscaping; doing whatever it took to learn, save, and eventually start my own business.

Over time, I built and ran several successful ventures, including an event photography company, a magazine, a tax and accounting firm, and now grocery stores serving neighborhoods across the Twin Cities where other retailers chose not to invest. I’ve created jobs, supported families, and committed to communities that deserve stability and opportunity.

That’s why I’m speaking out now.

Small business owners in Minneapolis and the communities we serve are recovering from serious disruptions, including the impacts of Operation Metro Surge. That event hit immigrant communities especially hard. In my own case, I lost nearly half of my 60 employees and saw revenue drop by about 85%. While I worked to provide competitive wages, health benefits, and paid time off, the real hardship fell on the people who lost their jobs and income.

Even as we rebuild, small businesses are facing another challenge. The Minnesota Legislature is considering letting an important tax policy expire: the Pass-Through Entity tax option.

Here’s what that means in plain terms.

Many small businesses, including mine, are pass-through businesses. That means the business itself doesn’t pay income tax. Instead, the owners report the income on their personal tax returns. But under current federal rules, there’s a limit on how much state tax we can deduct. That often leads to higher federal tax bills.

The Pass-Through Entity option fixes that. It allows the business to pay the state tax directly, which means the business can fully deduct those taxes on its federal return and lower the total amount of income taxed federally. The result is straightforward: small business owners pay less in federal taxes, without reducing what the state collects.

This policy is not new or controversial. Thirty-six states already offer it. It doesn’t cost Minnesota anything, it’s revenue neutral. And it benefits more than 66,000 businesses across the state.

In a state where the cost of doing business is already high, it’s hard to understand why we wouldn’t offer the same basic tax treatment as states like California and Illinois.

Small businesses have carried a heavy load in recent years, through a pandemic, rising costs and public safety disruptions. We’ve adapted, reinvested and stayed committed to our communities. What we need now are practical policies that support that work, not make it harder.

If the Minnesota House does not act soon, many businesses will face significantly higher federal tax bills. That’s money that could otherwise be used to hire workers, raise wages or reinvest in local neighborhoods.

I urge Gov. Tim Walz and members of the House Tax Committee to pass House File 3127 and extend the Pass-Through Entity election.

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. We’ve proven our resilience. Now we need our state leaders to show the same commitment to us.

Daniel Hernandez is the owner of Colonial Market located at 2100 E. Lake St.

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